I understand the logic of the OP on this, a bit off topic but close...
A guy devised a chip timer that fitted into an ordinary filament lightbulb, it timed the application of current to a light filament for when the AC cycle was at 0volts and so switched the bulb on "slowly" (in relative terms) so lengthening the life of a bulb by 100 times the norm. He wasnt killed off, but sold the patent to a well know lightbulb manufacturer for a huge wad.... and they promptly buried the idea, because they would see a 100 fold reduction in profits.
Now this would be an ideal solution, and a cheap alternative to the Green factions worries about the state of the planet, rather than the ugly, obnoxious and expensive (not to mention poisonous) mercury filled Energy saving lamps we will be forced to buy in the future.